This is a bit of a sad vent because I need to get it out.


I had to resign from a ministry because I could not give it my full heart. The method of assigning the volunteers was not appropriate (to my mind). According to everything I knew, this situation had been brought to the attention of the office previously. I emailed my resignation, including my reasons (& backup) to the priests and the head of the liturgy committee - and them only. I thought it was written in a polite, but firm tone. I expressed my disappointment, but also my sorrow in leaving a ministry I enjoyed. I told them that since I couldn't give it my full heart, I felt it wasn't fair to the volunteers OR to the parish itself. I tried so hard to keep it both direct and honest as well as regretful. The priest wasn't thrilled with how I went about it and thought I should have brought the situation to his attention first. (I thought it had been, though by others.) He accepted my resignation however, with that note about being disappointed. (This was via an email responding to myself and those I had emailed.)

THEN he sent a second email hours later, including everyone at the parish office and discussed how he though my tone was accusatory and inappropriate. That he would be changing the policy and we could have done it in a less destructive fashion if I had brought it to his attention.
I replied - to everyone - telling him I was sorry if my email caused offense as it certainly was not intended to do so, and explained how others who complained to me discussed talking to someone at the office without success. I heard nothing in return and I'm kind of glad of that.

I hate hurting people's feelings and my heart broke having to send the original email. Now I feel even worse...but I still think I did the right thing.